Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with several passionate leaders and members of our local arts community, including representatives from the Richmond Arts Coalition (RAC).

Connecting with local artists, creators, and advocates is always an inspiring experience. It serves as a powerful reminder of the rich, diverse cultural tapestry that makes Richmond such an incredible place to live, raise a family, and learn. Our conversation also reinforced a core belief of mine: the arts are not a luxury or an afterthought. They are a vital pillar of our children’s education, personal development, and mental well-being.

As a candidate for School Trustee, I believe that a healthy school district and a vibrant city must walk hand-in-hand. Here is my commitment to Richmond’s arts community and why advocating for creative education in our public schools is central to my vision for SD38.

1. Championing Our Creative Sector: The Heartbeat of Richmond

Organizations like the Richmond Arts Coalition do vital work. They build spaces where people connect, share stories, and celebrate our diverse cultures. When our school district collaborates with and supports the local arts community, we create a bridge between students and real-world creative pathways. A thriving arts scene makes Richmond a highly liveable, empathetic, and connected city, and our schools should be the starting point for that connection. I want to ensure our school board is an active, supportive partner to our local arts sector.

2. Arts Education: A Core Pillar, Not an “Extra”

I believe that a well-rounded public education must treat creative programs with the same value as any other academic discipline. Whether it is music, drama, visual arts, or digital media, arts education belongs at the heart of our curriculum:

• Developing Complex Problem-Solvers: The arts teach students to look at challenges through multiple lenses. When a student learns to compose a piece of music, paint a canvas, or block a scene in drama, they are practicing innovation, critical thinking, and adaptability—skills that are essential for the future.
• Building Paths to Post-Secondary Success: For many students, high school art programs are the launching pad for post-secondary portfolios and careers in Canada’s growing creative industries. We must ensure these pathways remain strong, modern, and fully supported.
• Creating Inclusive, Safe Spaces: The arts provide a universal language. For students navigating diverse backgrounds, languages, or learning styles, creative classrooms offer a safe space to express who they are and find their voice.

3. The Power of Art in Youth Development and Well-being

As a parent, I have seen firsthand how crucial creative outlets are for children and youth. Growing up today comes with unique pressures, and engagement with the arts offers a powerful framework for personal growth and emotional resilience:

Confidence & Communication: Standing on a stage, playing in a band, or presenting a visual project builds self-assurance that carries over into public speaking, teamwork, and future careers.

Resilience Through the Creative Process: Art teaches young people that “mistakes” are simply pivot points. Learning to embrace trial and error builds the exact kind of emotional resilience our youth need to navigate life’s challenges.

Empathy and Connection: Engaging with the arts teaches young minds to appreciate different perspectives, histories, and cultures, fostering deep empathy for others in our diverse school community.

My Commitment: A Strong Advocate for Resources and Funding

Appreciating the arts is one thing, but ensuring they thrive requires active leadership and advocacy. As your School Trustee, I will be a vocal advocate to secure the resources and funding our arts programs and community initiatives deserve. Here is what I will champion:

• Protecting and Expanding Arts Budgets: Ensuring that music, fine arts, and digital media programs in SD38 are prioritized during budget planning, so no student loses out on creative opportunities due to funding gaps.
• Advocating for Provincial Support: Actively engaging with provincial partners to secure dedicated grants and capital funding for modernizing creative spaces, equipment, and resources in Richmond schools.
• Fostering Community Partnerships: Building stronger, mutually beneficial bridges between Richmond schools and local arts organizations to share resources, host joint community programs, and enrich our students’ learning environments.

Moving Forward, Together

If we want to raise the next generation of innovators, critical thinkers, and compassionate community leaders, we must continue to advocate for strong, accessible arts programming in Richmond public schools.

Thank you to the Richmond Arts Coalition and all the local advocates who keep the creative heart of Richmond beating strong. As your School Trustee, I will work tirelessly to ensure our schools and our community remain spaces where every child has the resources to create, grow, and thrive.

培育創意：為何藝術教育與創意社區對列治文青年至關重要

最近，我有幸與本地藝術界的幾位熱心領袖和成員交流，其中包括列治文藝術聯盟（Richmond Arts Coalition, RAC）的代表。

與本地的藝術家、創作者和倡導者連結，每次都是啟發人心的體驗。這美妙地提醒著我們，正是這豐富、多元的文化色彩，讓列治文成為一個如此適合生活、養育家庭和學習的好地方。同時，我們的對話也讓我深思藝術在城市中扮演的角色——藝術絕非奢侈品，也非可有可無的點綴，而是我們孩子在教育、個人成長和身心健康上不可或缺的核心支柱。

作為學務委員（School Trustee）候選人，我深信健全的學區與充滿活力的城市必須攜手並進。以下是我對列治文藝術界的承諾，以及為何在公立學校倡導創意教育是我對第 38 學區（SD38）願景的核心。

一、 支持創意產業：列治文的城市心跳

像列治文藝術聯盟（RAC）這樣的組織，其工作至關重要。他們建立了讓市民連結、分享故事和慶祝多元文化的空間。當我們的學校局與本地藝術界積極合作並相互支持時，我們就為學生與現實世界中的創意生涯搭建了一座橋樑。繁榮的藝術氛圍讓列治文成為一個宜居、充滿同理心且緊密連結的城市，而我們的學校應該是這個連結的起點。我希望確保學校局能成為本地藝術界積極、可靠的合作夥伴。

二、 藝術教育：是核心支柱，而非「課外點綴」

我深信，一個完善的公立教育體系，絕不能將創意課程視為「課外活動的附屬品」。不論是音樂、戲劇、視覺藝術還是數位媒體，藝術教育都應該置於課程的核心：

• 培養解決複雜問題的人才： 藝術教導學生從多個角度看待挑戰。當學生學習創作樂曲、繪製畫布或在戲劇中設計場景時，他們正在鍛煉創新、批判性思維和適應能力——這些都是未來世界必備的技能。
• 鋪平通往高等教育的道路： 對於許多學生而言，高中的藝術課程是他們準備大專院校作品集，以及投身加拿大蓬勃發展的創意產業的起跑點。我們必須確保這些發展路徑保持強大、現代化並獲得充分支持。
• 創造包容與安全的空間： 藝術是一種無國界的通用語言。對於來自不同背景、語言或學習模式的學生，創意課堂提供了一個安全的空間，讓他們能夠表達自我、尋找屬於自己的聲音。

三、 藝術在青少年成長與身心健康中的力量

作為家長，我親眼見證了創意宣洩管道對兒童和青少年的重要性。在現今社會成長面臨著獨特的壓力，而接觸藝術為他們的個人成長和心理韌性提供了強大的框架：

自信與溝通： 站在舞台上、在樂隊中演奏或展示視覺藝術作品，能建立起強大的自信心，這將轉化為日後公共演講、團隊合作及職場生涯的優勢。

在創作過程中建立韌性： 藝術教導年輕人，過程中的「錯誤」只是調整方向的轉折點。學會接受嘗試與失敗，能培養出我們的青年在面對人生挑戰時所需的心理韌性。

同理心與連結： 接觸藝術能引導年輕一代學會欣賞不同的觀點、歷史和文化，在我們多元化的學校社區中，培養對他人深切的同理心。

我的承諾：為資源與資金發聲的強力倡導者

欣賞藝術是一回事，但要確保藝術蓬勃發展，則需要積極的領導力與行動。作為您的學務委員，我將全力以赴，成為在學校局內為我們的藝術課程及社區倡議爭取資源和資金的堅實發言人。 我將致力推動以下工作：

• 保障並擴大藝術預算： 確保在規劃 SD38 預算時，音樂、美術和數位媒體課程得到優先考慮，不讓任何學生因資金缺口而失去發揮創意的機會。
• 爭取省政府資源支持： 積極與省政府合作夥伴溝通，為列治文學校爭取專項撥款和資本資金，以更新創意空間、設備和教學資源。
• 促進社區夥伴關係： 在列治文學校與本地藝術組織之間建立更強大、互惠互利的橋樑，共享資源、舉辦聯合社區活動，並豐富學生的學習環境。

攜手並進，共創未來

如果我們想培養出下一代的創新者、批判性思考者和充滿同理心的社區領袖，我們就必須繼續在列治文公立學校倡導強大且普及的藝術課程。

感謝列治文藝術聯盟以及所有讓列治文創意心跳保持強勁的本地倡導者。作為您的學務委員，我將不懈努力，確保我們的學校和社區，成為每個孩子都有資源去創作、成長和茁壯的空間。

我很想聽聽您的想法！ 創意課程如何影響了您的孩子、家庭或您個人的成長歷程？您對 SD38 的藝術教育有什麼期望？ 歡迎與我聯絡、分享您的看法，或者讓我們一起喝杯咖啡，聊聊如何攜手建設一個更強大的學校社區。